Make your first impressions count…..

When you think of someone you know, love or even have met just the once, I guarantee your opinion of them will have been formed from the second you met.

Good, bad, indifferent, whatever your impression, that first meeting counts for a lot. So why should your company’s introduction to new starters be any different?

That’s the question that’s been posed by employee engagement platform Officevibe, which found 22% of staff turnover occurring within the first 45 days of employment.

The same report points out that too much focus is placed on “corporate culture and identity” – including lectures followed by “a stack of documents on the firm’s history.”

To put that into some sort of perspective, imagine meeting someone only for them to tell you their whole life story and only speak about themselves. You can probably bet that wouldn’t set you off on the best foot, so is it really surprising that employees are sickened off so quickly?

But how else can you welcome new staff to your workplace?

Well, of course have an induction program, with a brief intro to the company, but do not make it all about the business. Focus on what the employee can get from the company.

Instead of simply saying “we are a brilliant company to work for”, go with something like “a number of our employees have worked their way through into management.” It shows that there is scope for improvement not only for the company, but that good solid work will see rewards for staff.

The most common complaints from new employees are a lack of clarity in expectation, feedback about performance and a lack of what constitutes success.

So without writing an essay, explain these things in a brief induction package, or even better deliver it face to face. It allows for any questions to be asked and answered meaning no crossed wires and the building of a level of trust – allowing both parties to get off on the right foot.

Follow these instructions and your workforce should be sticking around, growing with you and your company.

As always, if you need advice or assistance on any aspect of your HR, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Howe Consultancy on 07921 256 981 or drop us an email at info@howeconsultancy.co.uk.